NIIT extends MindChampion Academy Programme to cover 770
Schools
CM, Sri Tarun Gogoi flags of the initiative as part of Phase IV
of RGCLP
Guwahati, June 05, 2007: Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri
Tarun Gogoi today flagged off Mind Champion Academy Programme in 200 High
schools under Phase IV of the Rajiv Gandhi Computer Literacy Programme in
Assam. As part of the initiative, NIIT, India’s No.1 IT Trainer announced that
the IT training major would extend its NIIT MindChampions Academy, a joint
initiative of NIIT and World No.1 Chess Player, Viswanathan Anand, to 200
additional schools, thus making this unique initiative available to a total of
770 Schools in the state of Assam.
NIIT MindChampions Academy today, is successfully running in 570 schools in
the state and been successfully introduced in nearly 4000 schools across the
country, thus exposing students in the age group of 6-15 years to the world of
Chess.
Speaking at the launch, Hon’ble Chief Minister exhorted the young learners
to imbibe computer skills and participate in the emerging knowledge era. He
hoped that initiatives like these will go a long way in making computer and
computer aided education accessible to learners in remote areas of the
state.
Dr. Hemanta Biswa Sarma, Hon’ble Minister of Health, IT, Science and
Technology also joined the Chief Minister in highlighting the importance of
promoting ICT in education at the school level. Shri P.P Verma, IAS, Addl. Chief
Secretary, Govt. of Assam, Shri M.K Yadava, IFS MD, AMTRON and Shri Prateek
Hajela, IAS, Mission Director, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan were present among other
senior dignitaries from the State.
NIIT has been providing computer education in partnership with the state
government under the Rajiv Gandhi Computer Literacy Programme.
Elaborating on the initiative, Mr L. Balasubramanian, President NIIT K-12
said, “The NIIT MindChampions Academy initiative is aimed at initiating
young minds on a path of excellence in academics as well as sports.”
“We are delighted to note that membership to chess clubs in
individual schools has swelled by great numbers and we are happy to extend this
initiative to another 200 schools in the state," he added.
In 2005, NIIT MindChampion Viswanathan Anand had inaugurated the NIIT
MindChampions Academy initiative as part of Rajiv Gandhi Computer Literacy
Programme.
Applauding the commendable work done by the state government, World No.1
Viswanathan Anand, said, “I would like to congratulate the Government of
Assam for making Rajiv Gandhi Computer Literacy Programme and NIIT MindChampions
Academy a great success. It is heartening to know that the game of chess has
really caught on well with the youngsters in the state and it is evident from
the fact that two of students from Assam were among winners of the National
Chess Master Event held last year”
NIIT as project partner of the state in Rajiv Gandhi Computer Literacy
Programme is providing computer and computer assisted education to over 5,76,000
students in 770 government schools in the state. The IT education and training
major has so far trained nearly 15,000 teachers from the state and has equipped
schools with state of the art IT infrastructure.
Launched in 2003 with an objective of initiating students into the world of
Chess, NIIT MindChampions Academy has today fostered nearly 4000 clubs with more
than 70000 students as its members in schools where NIIT offers computer
education.
The students use computer-based tutorials, during and after school as a
virtual playfield to hone their skills in the game of Chess. Apart from
tutorials, promising Chess players get an opportunity to interact with NIIT
Brand Ambassador and Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand, in person at regular
intervals.
Leveraging its inherent strength in technology, NIIT MindChampions Academy
has created a virtual community of Chess enthusiasts in the country. The Academy
has Viswanathan Anand, NIIT Group Chairman Rajendra S. Pawar and President of
NIIT K12 L. Balasubramanian and few eminent world Chess personalities on its
Advisory Board.
About NIIT K-12
NIIT through its K-12 division is reaching 1.4 million kids in nearly 3800
government and private schools, equipping them with crucial IT skills to prepare
them for tomorrow’s knowledge society. NIIT is working actively to make
computers an intrinsic part of the lives of children and also those of the
socially and economically challenged sections of the society, who may never have
had a chance to integrate with the emerging 21st century environment, to give a
better prospect to their future. NIIT has been providing computer and
computer-aided education in State Govt. schools in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,
Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya,
Tripura and Noida (UP).
About NIIT
NIIT, Asia’s largest IT trainer, offers learning and knowledge solutions in
30 countries. NIIT together with the recently acquired Element K is now the
first and the best choice for comprehensive learning solutions, worldwide.
Leading IT magazine Dataquest has conferred upon NIIT, the Top IT Training
Company Award 2006. Rated among India’s Superbrands (2003-05), NIIT’s education
offerings include: GNIIT, an industry-endorsed program for students seeking
careers in the IT segments; Integrated ANIIT for Engineers (IAE)—a dual
qualification program for engineering students under the NIIT Edgeineers series
of training programs on advanced technologies for IT professionals and skill up
gradation programs for engineering graduates. NIIT also offers a turnkey IT
integration program that provides computer-based learning in 3,906 government
and private schools.
In the Corporate Solutions Business, NIIT’s offerings are bolstered by its
SEI CMM Level 5 assessed learning services capability. The Corporate Solutions
Business offers integrated learning solutions that include strategic consulting,
learning design, content development, learning delivery, learning technology
services and learning administration.
NIIT’s customers include many Fortune 500 companies, universities,
technology companies, training corporations and publishing houses.
For media queries, please contact:
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4293333;
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